The House Ethics Committee voted to release a report on its ethics investigation into former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), according to an anonymous source who spoke with CNN. The decision to release the report comes after Gaetz resigned from Congress and withdrew his nomination for U.S. attorney general following scrutiny in regard to past allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.
The public release of the report will provide information on the committee’s findings in regard to Gaetz’s activity during his time in Congress and in the Florida Legislature. The vote was made earlier this month and could impact Gaetz’s public reputation, and is a reversal from the Ethics Committee’s previous decision to not release the report.
Gaetz responded to the report, stating he was fully exonerated by the Department of Justice (DOJ), asserting that no charges were filed against him. While he admits to past indiscretions, he denies any illegal activity, posting on X:
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes. I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me. Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued. Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body. In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated — even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court. My 30’s were an era of working very hard — and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now. But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that f**k over the country!
Although the DOJ concluded its investigation into Gaetz without charges, former Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg admitted to paying an underage girl for sex with him and other men. On May 17, 2021, Greenberg pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including a charge of sex trafficking a girl between ages 14 and 17, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 1, 2022.
